New Golf Course Manager Named

Shane Hart, a longtime Grinnell resident and member of the Grinnell College Golf Course community, started his new position as general manager of the Grinnell College Golf Course on Friday, April 29.

Grinnell College purchased the Grinnell Golf and Country Club in March and opened the course for the season on April 1. Consistent with the College’s social values, the private course is now public, available for use by all — the College community, the broader Grinnell community and visitors to the area.

Hart, who has left his position as a real estate agent for Ramsey-Weeks Inc., has been involved with the former Grinnell Golf and Country Club for several years. He served as a board member since 2014 and was a past president. He stepped in as interim general manager during several vacancies dating to 2014.

As general manager, he coordinated, budgeted, and oversaw various golf events to ensure player enjoyment and profitability. He also gained knowledge of the course’s facilities, equipment, members, and events.

After a national search for golf course manager, Shane Hart emerged as our top choice for the position, says John Kalkbrenner, assistant vice president for auxiliary services and economic development at Grinnell College. Shane’s unique knowledge of the Grinnell community, Grinnell College, and the golf course, along with his tireless drive, compelled us to choose him.

He will bring immense experience and passion to the role of general manager, Kalkbrenner added, as someone who is both committed to the future of the College and the Grinnell College Golf Course.

I am excited to bring my experiences and energy together to help make the Grinnell College Golf Course a top-notch facility, Hart said. I look forward to welcoming back the past members, and reaching out to promote the facilities to the greater Poweshiek area. I couldn’t be more pleased or honored to have been chosen for this position.

Hart is an active member of the Grinnell community at-large, serving on the board of the Chamber of Commerce since 2015, as a volunteer coach for the youth golf and basketball programs since 2008. He has chaired the Iowa Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Open Golf Tournament since 2010. He also has directed many other tournaments and socials at the former country club.  

He enjoys various recreational activities, including racquetball, golf, basketball, football, and going on nature hikes.